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increase rates and they are looking at a lot of avenues for future water sources. They have been more aggressive lately in looking for sources of water. They are looking to the west. They have hired an engineer firm to look for sources. Commissioner Carey asked if Orange-Alamance was still purchasing water from Durham through Hillsborough and Mr. Goforth said no because it is too expensive. Their main sources have been Mebane and now Graham. Commissioner Carey asked if they had seen similar reductions in use of water on their system with water restrictions and Mr. Goforth said yes. However, some people do not understand all of the stages. Commissioner Halkiotis mentioned an article from Newsweek about water in Texas and said that someone is starting to tap on the major aquifers in North Texas to deliver water to Dallas. People are really concerned about this. He pointed out that North Carolina's water table is dropping eight to ten feet per year in the eastern part of the state. Paul Thames said that the groundwater system in the eastern part of the state is on a mandatory capacity use. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he also read that the underground saltwater is shifting inland and replacing the fresh water in the aquifers. Chair Jacobs mentioned that the salt water has infiltrated to within a mile of the intake of the fresh water at Myrtle Beach. Commissioner Halkiotis said the battle in Texas with water would take place here too. Commissioner Brown asked Brady Goforth about the sustainability philosophy of the utility and if this model could offer a new perspective on how to maintain the utility. Brady Goforth said that their original idea was that they were a rural water provider, but with growth they have had to be stretched. But on a positive note, there is an industry nearby that has 400 employees. He knows that if Mebane and Graham have water, they are not going to let 400 jobs go away and they are going to continue to provide water to Orange-Alamance. They are still looking at other sources for water. Commissioner Brown said that the Economic Development Director has a lot of models for sustainability that might be helpful in directing a new way of thinking about it. Chair Jacobs said that the Board of County Commissioners would be glad to sit down again and discuss the water issue with Hillsborough, Orange- Alamance, and Mebane. He asked Brady Goforth about the low flow system and Mr. Goforth said that they do not have a program like the Town of Hillsborough. Chair Jacobs said that maybe the County staff could help Orange- Alamance's customers. Commissioner Brown asked if Orange-Alamance had a moratorium on tap-ons on the water system and Brady Goforth said yes. Commissioner Gordon asked Brady Goforth about looking for other sources and said that it sounds like that unless other sources are found, no one else will be allowed to tap in unless water can be bought from the west. Mr. Goforth said that his system uses a little over a million gallons a day when they are not conserving. The typical withdrawal from the Eno is 600,000-700,000, but